Wcs

[GJB]

Benji and Heidi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-QgnkARnTQ

Benji and Lacey Schwimmer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Mz3gJwd7M

John Lindo and Blake Hobby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcdV8cESWUs

Ben Morris and Melina Ramirez

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n8zJBIfw98

Jessica Cox and Parker Dearborn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s2qGRwQnm8

Jordan and Tatianna & Jessica and Parker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zeNz-JuMRg

[samina]

wow... i so enjoyed the two benji vids, and the john lindo/blake hobby video... wonderful!

thanks for sharing, gjb... inspiring, fun, joyful, and great energy!

[GJB]

Samina, glad you enjoyed! There have been posts in the past about WCS and Hustle and some people said they don't like or get these dances so I thought I'd post some good examples.

BTW, John Lindo regularly DJs in NY and NJ so you can catch him in action. And, Blake is awesome. I love to dance with her.

[GJB]

John Lindo and Deborah Szekely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFNnjqqqjg4

Brent and Kellese Key

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kzK5gbDEcI

Robert Royston and Laureen Baldovi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1WOIm6_yK0

Kyle Redd and Sarah Van Drake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nosy-BMU3vM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4yscig0fa8

[waltzgirl]

It was especially impressive to watch the Jack & Jill's. I wish we had those more in ballroom (though I would find it terrifying).

[GJB]

Jordan Frisbee and Tatianna Mollman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb3N1iWIHZc&NR

[GJB]

It was especially impressive to watch the Jack & Jill's. I wish we had those more in ballroom (though I would find it terrifying).

I usually like the improvisational divisions (Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing) better too. And, I would love to see a Pro Latin Jack and Jill !

[samina]

BTW, John Lindo regularly DJs in NY and NJ so you can catch him in action. And, Blake is awesome. I love to dance with her.

yeah, these two so impressed me... still thinking about them. that's *dancing*

[GJB]

Some more improvisational WCS. Note the musical interpretation.

Michael Kiehm and Doborah Szekely dancing to LL Cool J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkK794naWy4

Benji Schwimmer and Deborah Szekely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkiMpEv8eLw

Jordan Frisbee and Lacey Schwimmer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BhXwikFh_w&NR

Jack and Jill from a comp in Houston

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCwhsW4HIis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t2GpyiuybQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOFXnLaGkw

[samina]

only watched the first set... will have to watch the rest that you posted.

i just spent 40 minutes reviewing these (and a few others) with my colleague, a longtime competitive wcs-er (he can name everyone in the background of the videos, along with their personal histories & idiocyncracies *lol*).

the only thing i know about wcs are the basics he taught me (without dancing them with me) a couple months ago, and maybe the 5 minutes i've danced it with BF, but he posed a technical question about WCS foot movement and we had fun looking at the vids & sorting things out.

what a resource this thread is for wcs-lovers. :)

[GJB]

Glad you are enjoying. At least watch the first two of the last set - Deborah can improvise !!!

[Ithink]

There is ALWAYS improv in WCS except for Classic/Showcase routines. Both the strictly swing (known partner, unknown music) and Jack and jills ( unknown partner and music) are extremely muscially itnerpretive and improvisational. That is one of the main goals of WCS - to hit breaks, slow down, speed up with the music, to interpret with your body (yes, your entire body!) what the music does, etc.

Yes, Deborah is pretty good at hitting music but they all are. Tatiana is amazing at it. So are Melina and Melissa, they all are. When I went to Swing Diego a few weeks ago I saw them all dance and let me tell you - I wish ballroom could sometimes be like that - so free and musical. But alas, it's only one dance, ballroom has many and all are so technical only the best dancers in the world can hope to interpret music on the fly like that...

[GJB]

There is ALWAYS improv in WCS except for Classic/Showcase routines. Both the strictly swing (known partner, unknown music) and Jack and jills ( unknown partner and music) are extremely muscially itnerpretive and improvisational. That is one of the main goals of WCS - to hit breaks, slow down, speed up with the music, to interpret with your body (yes, your entire body!) what the music does, etc.


Yes, I know. The last group of videos I linked to where I mentioned improvisation were all Jack and Jills or Strictly Swings. I wouldn't say they/we are all good at it. But, it's something everyone strives for from the beginning.

Thanks for your explanation. It verbalizes what I hoped the videos would demonstrate to those who have not had exposure to WCS as it is danced on the NASDE circuit and socially as well.

[reb]

These were fun to watch. Great connections and dancing!

[waltzgirl]

I had the transcendent pleasure of dancing with Michael Kiehm once. OMG!

[samina]

I had the transcendent pleasure of dancing with Michael Kiehm once. OMG!

wow. was very impressed with him... what a sharp dancer...

[samina]

watched everything... whatta pleasure!

[GJB]

I had the transcendent pleasure of dancing with Michael Kiehm once. OMG!

I took a lesson with Michael and Mari once. But, it was a long time ago. Can't remember much. He did complement my lead though : )

[GJB]

watched everything... whatta pleasure!

Wow! I will have to see if I can find some more : )

[GJB]

NOT WCS. But Pretty Amazin! Ethan can fly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo3_U4jquTk

[dancesportgirl21]

I love that last scene. I really like another scene when the guys are challenging each other with jumps. Still, I have to say that Baryshnikov is my favorite non-ballroom male dancer of all time. He doesn't jump, he flies ;)

[bjp22tango]

Still, I have to say that Baryshnikov is my favorite non-ballroom male dancer of all time. He doesn't jump, he flies ;)

Ditto

[GJB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4J8C2Ka-ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kT_qQEa-bo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiV3hSHICaE

[White Chacha]

Well, the benji vids seems to have been removed for violation of terms... or so the page says when I click on the links (1st posting).

[samina]

Still, I have to say that Baryshnikov is my favorite non-ballroom male dancer of all time. He doesn't jump, he flies ;)

*sigh*.... felt that way when i was 15... still do... *sigh again*

[samina]

hey GJB... thanks for those vids... enjoyed'em! :)